MNTD Studios #3
785 Union Avenue, Bridgeport, CT
kgeula@pillarnyc.com
917-705-2349
www.mntdstudios.com
Artists of MNTD Studios & Guests
The newest addition to the Bridgeport Art Trail, MNTD Studios features 10 freshly renovated artist spaces, with 15 more under renovation. With amazing light, modern windows, heating, air conditioning, elevators, and secure parking, it provides a perfect environment for creativity to thrive. Inquiries about studio rentals can be sent to the email above.
MNTD Studios showcases how, yet another Bridgeport warehouse has been reimagined with art, creativity, classic cars, and craft beer!
Typically, access to the studios is restricted, preventing brewery patrons from entering. However, during this BAT open studio weekend, artists and Foolproof visitors will mix as guests explore the halls, event spaces, exhibits, and studios. Artists' studios will be open during the BAT weekend, along with stunning art installed throughout.
Beer and Banksy at Foolproof Brewing and MNTD Studios at 785 Union Ave #3.
Visitors to the newest stop on the Bridgeport Art Trail can enjoy a brew from Foolproof Brewing while reflecting on the art of the world-renowned Banksy. As they take in the work, they might ponder, “How does an artist's work capture the public’s imagination, embed itself in popular culture, and skyrocket in value—much like the subway drawings of Keith Haring?” This contemplation adds another layer to the experience, inviting viewers to consider the unpredictable journey from street art to cultural icon.
Bridgeport Art Trail 2024 Schedule
Thursday, November 7
3:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Foolproof Brewing Open
Friday, November 8
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Foolproof Brewing Open
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | BAT Artists Meet-Up, Art & Beer
BAT trekkers can meet up to enjoy art, live music, and explore the newly renovated warehouse space, including studios and event spaces. The historic Moore Tool Company (est. 1924) has been revitalized with art galleries, a brewery, elegant event spaces, and vintage cars. It’s also home to the Black Horse Garage, making 785 Union Ave a must-see destination. This eclectic blend of visuals and brews is not to be missed! MNTD Studios #3 will be open Fri-Sun during BAT weekend.
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Video Installation by Yves Wilson at MNTD Studios
Yves' video art and 2D wall installation for MNTD Studios, featured as part of the Bridgeport Art Trail, explores the connection between people, space, and the overlooked significance of everyday objects, drawing on his background as a street artist and photographer.
Saturday, November 9
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM | BAT Open Studio Hours at MNTD
MNTD artists' studios will be open during the BAT weekend, along with stunning art installed throughout. View the art MNTD Studio artists and featured guest artists including Dariusz Kanarek, Scott Schuldt, Yves Wilson and a Bridgeport Art Trail sampler exhibit. Among those included are Carlos Biernnay, Claude Desir Jr. Looketha, Claude Desir Jr, Larry Morse, Francis Pressley.
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Foolproof Brewing Open
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Art & Sole: Sneakers and Art
This is a can’t miss event! Where Art & Sole is where art, music, fashion & food come together for a really special experience! We'll have live DJ Sets from @dooleyo and guests, live art exhibitions and activations, and sneaker/streetwear vendors. Food and beer available for purchase.
Sunday, November 10
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM | BAT Open Studio Hours at MNTD
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Foolproof Brewing Open
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM |BAT Closing Party
After a weekend packed with art, wind down at 785 Union Ave. Mingle with other BAT visitors and artists. Enjoy live music, Fool Proof libations and a nosh and art on view.
Beadwork by Scott Schuldt
MNTD Studio Artists
RiseUP for Arts
IG: @riseupgroup
lori.bloom@theriseupgroup.org
www.theriseupgroup.org
CT’s source for Public Art and Placemaking, Empowering communities to imagine new possibilities. Lori Bloom Resident artist, classes, murals and more.
Danii Leblanc
IG: @danii_le.studios
D@daniileblanc.com
www.daniileblanc.com
Danii Leblanc is a Haitian American photographer based in Connecticut. Inspired by her father, she discovered her love for photography. Fueled by her passion for the arts, she draws from fine arts and the harmonies of music, infusing her work with a symphony of emotions.
MNTD Guest BAT Artists
Tang Russ
Graphic Designer & Media Arts Specialist
IG: @tangrusss
m@tangruss.com
www.tangruss.com
Claude Desir Jr.
Painting, Drawing, Wearable Art
IG: @ viiSEviiN
My artwork intentionally contains a lot of symbolism and hidden messages. This is the best way I can communicate my interests in history, politics, culture and education. I reclaim negative connotations and degrading depictions transforming them into imagery of heritage and resilience.
My use of historically insulting imagery that promoted negative stereotypes has caused controversy prompting different reactions dependent on one’s history and perspectives. Some feel I am re-appropriating negative imagery; some say I am perpetuating it; others are left irresolute. My intention is to not only start a conversation, but to keep the history alive, to educate future generations for those who are unmindful.
Dariusz Kanarek
Photography
IG: @dkkanarek
Dariusz Kanarek, photographer/videographer/web designer, among the work he presents is a series of dynamic portrait photographs of Bridgeport Art Trail artists who migrated to the USA including Radu Gheorghe/Romania, Rafiq Kathwari/Kashmir, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo/Antigua, Desmond Nature/Cameroon, Carlos Biernnay/Chile, Anna Ruiz/Spain.
Born in Warsaw in 1973, he has been residing permanently in the United States since 1990. After a 10-year tenure at NBC, he became Vice President at Comedynet, where he collaborated with world-class actors such as Lewis Black, Jim Gaffigan, and Ray Romano.
Photograph by Dariusz Kanarek
In 2017, he returned to his roots and dedicated himself professionally to his passions, art and photography. Collaborating with organizations promoting art and the artistic bohemia in Bridgeport, CT, he developed his photographic craft. His photography has been published in the Connecticut Post, Hartford Courant, Westport Lifestyle, Kurier Plus, and many exhibition and cultural event catalogs. In 2018, he became the official photographer for City Lights Gallery/Bridgeport Art Trail. During the pandemic, he participated in the “Colorful Bridgeport” project, showcasing first responders and frontline workers. He also designs graphics for magazines and local and international organizations.
His photographs/works are also exhibited at City Lights Gallery. In 2022, he received a CT Office of the Arts grant to organize an exhibition showcasing the roots and migration stories of local artists. Since 2023, he has held the position of president of the Polish-American Photographers' Club.
Art by Samuel Pintos
Samuel Pintos
Expressive Figurative painting
www.samuelpintos.com
“I distort reality influenced by my emotions, feelings, and experiences, to express my internal world and create my own reality from my subjectivity.”
Samuel Pintos is a Peruvian artist, born in the city of Lima. He has been interested in exploring the different emotional and corporeal responses of individuals when interacting with others. His work depicts thwarted relationships, loneliness, and the cohabitation of lovers. Pintos has presented numerous collective exhibitions in Peru and in other countries, such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Germany, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, and the USA. Some of his works are included in several permanent collections and compiled in various publications.
Scott Schuldt
View from the Canoe Installation
IG: @scott_schuldt1
canoepost.blogspot.com
notesfromsmokefarm.blogspot.com
Artist Scott Schuldt never disappoints, presenting his stunning works inspired by his passion for canoeing and his concern and study of environmental conditions and fascinating choices of materials. From hand-carved paddles to schematic renderings about the condition of marine life and waterways, his canoe-themed installation demonstrates how he thinks, creates and sees the world as an artist,
Installation by Scott Schuldt
engineer and lover of nature. He melds his unique art practice and choices of materials, such as embroidery bead work and found-object constructions with the skills from his training and years of experience as an engineer and his countless hours exploring nature and canoeing.
Watch Scott as he demonstrates time-consuming hand-sewn bead embroidery
Jodi Steifel
Paintings, oil on canvas
IG: @jodibrownstudio
jodibrownart.wixsite.com/jodibrownart
My world is defined by color and chunks of abstract shapes placed together to make a whole. That world is a version of the mental state I am experiencing at the time or it is an interpretation of remembered or reinterpreted memories. In essence, my paintings capture my thoughts, my memories, or the emotions that hang around inside me demanding to have an external space of their own, and for me that exists within a visual world. Painting that place helps me connect with others.
“Sweet Summer” by Jodi Steifel
Yves Wilson
Video Installation
Studio@YvesWilson.com
917-623-9243
www.YvesWilson.com
Yves François Wilson, a native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and internationally recognized artist, creates work that delves into abstract representations of memory, identity, and the experiences of Black America.
Yves' video art and 2D wall installation for MNTD Studios, featured as part of the Bridgeport Art Trail, explores the connection between people, space, and the overlooked significance of everyday objects. Drawing on his background as a street artist and photographer, he uses the urban environment as both canvas and subject, blending large-scale 2D prints with immersive video projections to reexamine how people move through and interact with their surroundings.
Art by Yves Wilson
A graduate of Parsons School of Design and New School University, Yves studied under legendary cinematographers Gordon Parks, Rodrigo Prieto, and Bradford Young. With over 20 years of experience as a union camera assistant and lighting technician for film, TV, and museum-based video, his career highlights include projects featured in the Whitney Biennial, Sundance Directors Lab, Tribeca Film Festival, and Full Frame Documentary Festival. Yves’ work has been exhibited at galleries and institutions like the Norwalk Art Space, Haviland Street Gallery, UConn, and the Aldrich Museum.
Next door to MNTD Studios…
Foolproof Brewing
785 Union Ave, Bridgeport, CT
BAT Weekend Hours
Thursday, Nov 7, 3pm to 9pm,
Friday, Nov 8, 12pm to 10pm
Saturday, Nov 9, 12pm to 10pm
Foolproof Brewing Company is thrilled to announce our expansion into Bridgeport, Connecticut! After over 10 years of serving Pawtucket, we’re bringing our new Brewery, Taproom, and Kitchen to the beautifully renovated Moore Tool Company building at 785 Union Avenue.
At Foolproof, our ethos of 'Your Life. Your Beer.' shines through in everything we do, blending craft beer, cuisine, vibrant art, and experiences into our space and service. We invite you to gather with friends, create lasting memories, and explore new adventures—one beer at a time. We can't wait to raise a glass with you in our new home! Cheers!
Black Horse Garage
785 Union Ave, Bridgeport, CT
sales@blackhorsegarage.com
203-330-9604
www.blackhorsegarage.com
785 Union Ave might just be the coolest stop on the Bridgeport Art Trail—there’s something for everyone! From art and beer to classic cars, you can grab a brew and a bite before touring the vibrant art studios and exhibits. Black Horse, a renowned automotive facility, specializes in classic and vintage automobiles, serving the needs of their passionate owners. Established in 1991, Black Horse set out to restore and service the finest European and American cars ever made, prioritizing top-tier craftsmanship and exceptional client experiences. Our award-winning team tackles each project with care, precision, and genuine enthusiasm.
H&C Co-op
785 Union Ave, Bridgeport, CT
alexgeula@pillarnyc.com
www.hcco-op.com
H&C Co-op is a premier rental kitchen space located in Bridgeport, CT, offering long-term and short-term kitchen rentals tailored for culinary professionals. Our state-of-the-art kitchens are designed to inspire creativity, whether you're a seasoned caterer, food entrepreneur, or chef working on a pop-up event or special project. H&C Co-op provides flexible rental options with top-notch facilities perfect for hosting cooking classes, private dinners, or corporate events. With secure storage solutions and exceptional amenities, we ensure peace of mind and convenience, allowing you to focus on creating outstanding culinary experiences.